Woodshop library

WOODCHUCKLES: FOR WOODWORKERS AND THOSE WHO LOVE US by Steven Spiro and Dave Sanders, features 100 cartoons mocking the traits and bloopers of the woodworking profession to the fullest.

An excellent gift idea for any woodworker, it features new cartoons, as well as old classics that have run in Woodshop News as "60 Grit." The brilliance behind the cartoons is making inanimate objects come to life on the pages: a twisted board is scolded by his parents for listening to Chubby Checker; a saw blade's bad teeth are attributed to eating too much sugar maple; and a series of hand saws are fastened together to form the first circular saw. Spiro is a professional woodworker based in Wisconsin and Sanders is a professional cartoon artist and owner of Grinzday Graphic Design. The 202-page softcover sells for $11.95. The book can be purchased at www.woodchuckles.com

WOOD TURNING, FROM TREE TO TABLE, by Bill Bowers, offers techniques for turning fabulous bowls, lamps and other projects, while featuring an interesting explanation of the complete process of woodturning from freshly cut wood. Beginning with information on how to safely harvest trees, the reader is taken through green-turning and sealing for the curing process through finishing of the turned object. All of the steps are illustrated and explained. A photo gallery gives many ideas on how to use leftover stock that otherwise would make its way to the fireplace or woodstove. This book is a great pick for the environmentally conscious turner. The 80-page softcover sells for $16.99. Contact: Schiffer Publishing Ltd., 4880 Lower Valley Road, Atglen, PA 19310. Tel: 610-593-1777. www.schifferbooks.com

THE PLANER TRUTH: A BRIEF HISTORY & GUIDE TO SERVICING VINTAGE SINGLE SURFACE ROLL FEED PLANERS, by Dana Martin Batory, is a detailed gathering of valuable data and photographs extracted from scores of old texts and manuals. The information is combined with the practical, hands-on experience of the author. Early pages give a brief history of the machine since its invention in 1828, while other sections describe the complete planer system from infeed to outfeed. Learn how to adjust and fine-tune each of its separate elements: table adjustment, pressure bar adjustment; knife setting and more. There are also chapters on troubleshooting, practical information and helpful hints. Batory is a cabinetmaker who operates a small one-man shop containing several vintage woodworking machines. The 160-page softcover sells for $21.95. Contact: Astragal Press, 8075 215th Street West, Lakeville, MN 55044. Tel: 866-543-3045. www.astragalpress.com

CHIP CARVING, from the editors of Scroll Saw Woodworking & Crafts magazine, is a reference guide designed for chip carvers of all skill levels. It features expert techniques and patterns for more than 50 projects, including a chess set and holiday ornaments. The book covers traditional geometric, Scandinavian shallow, Old World-style and free-form chip-carving styles. Each project includes step-by-step instructions and photos, patterns and finishing suggestions. The projects are authored by some of today's top chip carvers, including Barry McKenzie, Dennis Moor, Roger Nancoz and Darrell Janssen. The 128-page softcover sells for $19.95. Fox Chapel Publishing Co. Inc., 1970 Broad St., East Petersburg, PA 17520. Tel: 800-457-9112. www.foxchapelpublishing.com